Andrew McLean

Andrew McLean lives in Park City, Utah and is a gear designer, writer, photographer, ski mountaineer, climber, Mountain Unicycle rider and father of two very loud little girls.

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Andrew McLean's Latest Posts

Updated Gear Links

Updated Gear Links

| August 14, 2009 | 2 Comments

Updated links?  I know – pretty damn exciting.  :) When I first started StraightChuter.com, I took my gear lists for day backcountry ski trips, ski expeditions and technical ski descents and put them on the Gear & Food tab (located about an inch directly above here).  Over the last year, the links have all become […]

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Speedweek Follow-up

Speedweek Follow-up

| August 12, 2009 | 3 Comments

A short video from the starting line and a chilling photo from a racing fatality which occurred during Speed Week 2009. From the Salt Lake Tribune: ________________________________ Help support StraightChuter.com and SPEED UP! with Dynafit Low Tech Race Bindings from Backcountry.com. Click on the photo below…

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Bonneville Speed Week

Bonneville Speed Week

| August 10, 2009 | 8 Comments

After living in Utah for almost twenty years, I was stoked to finally make it out to the  Bonneville Salt Flats over the weekend for the world famous Speed Week.  It is one of those places and events that almost defies words.  When you first get there, the perfectly flat, glistening white landscape is so […]

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TroutChuter.com

TroutChuter.com

| August 6, 2009 | 14 Comments

My grandfather grew up in Utah and over a span of years I inherited four unique items from him; a 1969 SS Camero with 16k miles on it, a vintage American flag with 48 stars (when Utah became a state), a fireplace poker set (?) and a custom made RL Winston bamboo fly rod. I […]

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OR Show – Cool Stuff

OR Show – Cool Stuff

| August 3, 2009 | 2 Comments

A last update from the OR Show… I’ve been collecting knives for a while because I like how they often embody the cultures who created them.  Swiss Army knives are tight, compact and high quality, just like Switzerland.  American Buck knives are big, simple and durable – a bit like America. Italian switchblades are flashy […]

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OR Show – Dogs & Kids

OR Show – Dogs & Kids

| July 30, 2009 | 13 Comments

I have both dogs and kids, so I like to check out what is new for them at the OR Show. D-FA is a New Zealand based company out of Wanaka that makes some very nice dog products.  I thought their fit & finish were a bit better than Ruffwear (the doggie industry standard) and […]

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OR Show – Electronics

OR Show – Electronics

| July 28, 2009 | 2 Comments

The Pelican case company has some bitchin’ little memory card holders. The exterior size is the same on all four versions, but the interior options allow for a variety of media options.  The case pictured above holds 16 SD cards and sells on Amazon.com for about $15.   As with all Pelican products, it is waterproof, […]

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S09 OR Show – The People

S09 OR Show – The People

| July 27, 2009 | 0 Comments

As usual, I started out thinking that I’d only go to a bit of the OR Show in nearby Salt Lake City and ended up going to almost all four days.  The purpose of the OR Show is to give manufacturers (Mountain Hardwear, Black Diamond, etc.) a chance to show their latest gear to buyers […]

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60 Second Bomber Tent Anchors in Snow

60 Second Bomber Tent Anchors in Snow

| July 22, 2009 | 2 Comments

In general, tents are only as secure as their anchors.  In the past, I’ve used all sorts of tent stakes including a crop of sawed off ski pole tips, ice axe shafts and sections of tomato stakes.  While skis, poles and pickets make great anchors, when you pull them up to use them for the […]

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Climbing with Joe Stock

Climbing with Joe Stock

| July 15, 2009 | 6 Comments

One of the great things about living in Salt Lake City, or at least nearby, is that it is both a north/south and east/west crossroads of recreation.  Because of this, a lot of people stop by on their way to and from other destinations to go climbing, skiing or biking and come fully loaded with […]

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